The Rules of Survival is a thought-provoking exploration of emotional abuse, self-reliance, and the nature of evil. It offers a heart-wrenching portrait of family crisis, perfect for fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak and Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why.

For Matt and his sisters, life with their cruel, physically abusive mother is a day-to-day struggle for survival. But then Matt witnesses a man named Murdoch coming to a child’s rescue in a convenience store; and for the first time, he feels a glimmer of hope. Then, amazingly, Murdoch begins dating Matt’s mother. Life is suddenly almost good. But the relief lasts only a short time.

When Murdoch inevitably breaks up with their mother, Matt knows that he’ll need to take some action. Can he call upon Murdoch to be his hero? Or will Matt have to take measures into his own hands?

This gripping, powerful novel will stay with you long after you’ve read it. Nancy Werlin, the New York Times Bestselling author of Impossible, shows why she is a master of her genre.